Bullmastiff: dog breed characterization and rearing

In appearance, the bullmastiff looks very serious, formidable and aggressive. Many people are afraid to approach these animals. In fact, in the family, such pets behave very differently - they are incredibly loyal and friendly four-legged companions, characterized by a calm, balanced character.

Bullmastiff is a descendant of the ancient English mastiff breed. They behave rather modestly and restrainedly. The first mention of them dates back to the 18th century. However, many sources indicate that the origin of these dogs occurred in a later period - the XIX century. In those days, the huntsmen who kept the game and were engaged in its protection faced serious problems due to the highly developed poaching.

Bulldogs had dimensions that were not suitable for such purposes, and simple mastiffs lacked agility and speed. Because of this, people began to breed a new type of dog in which the positive qualities of both of these breeds would be combined. Attempts were made to cross them. The result was a perfect dog, which in ancient times was clicked "night dog, guarding the game." The dark color of these individuals was then considered optimal, since it was absolutely invisible with the onset of darkness. Due to the improved characteristics of the breed rapidly gained great popularity and wide distribution. These pets were often used on landlords. There they served as reliable and vigilant guards.

Many people have literally fallen in love with dogs that have light fur and a contrasting dark “mask” on their faces. However, breeders felt that crossing two breeds was not enough. As a result, they set out to teach a completely new, purebred breed, which would be characterized by bulldog qualities (60%) and the characteristic features of mastiffs (40%). As a result of the selection work, new dogs - bullmastiffs - were born. The English club recognized these interesting representatives of the new breed in 1924. The American Kennel Club officially accepted the Bullmastiff only in 1933.

Bullmastiff is a wonderful defender, friend and guard. Despite the rather severe and brutal appearance, these pets are very popular and delight many breeders because they have many positive character traits. If you plan to buy a puppy of this breed, then you should familiarize yourself with its standards.

• The weight of an adult male bullmastiff in most cases is from 50 to 60 kg. Females are slightly smaller and more compact - their weight reaches 45–54 kg.
• Keep in mind that bullmastiffs are quite large dogs. At the withers, the height of the adult thoroughbred male is usually 63–69 cm, and the females 61–66 cm.
• No matter what color the main coat has on the body of the animal, a black mask will take place on its face. The eyes have an expressive edging, the ears also differ in dark color. In accordance with the standard, the presence of a large snow-white spot in the chest area is acceptable. Most often, bullmastiffs have a red, fawn or bright tiger color. Slightly less often you can find marble individuals. The blue color of the coat is genetically impossible. If the puppy has this color, then this will mean that he is a mixed breed.
• One of the most significant shortcomings of bullmastiffs is the term of life. The health of this breed is not the best, immunity cannot be called quite strong, which ultimately leads to a short life expectancy. On average, bullmastiff lives 7-8 years.
• Most dogs of this breed can boast of well-developed intelligence and good mental abilities. They quickly understand and assimilate new teams, perfectly understand the intonations of the owners and feel their mood.
• The security and watchdog potential of the bullmastiff is not very developed. These dogs are excellent defenders of their owners against various threats, but attack only in exceptional cases. Usually they just stand between the owner and the enemy.

These dogs have the following appearance characteristics in accordance with the standard:

• the head of a bullmastiff is square, the skull is large, and the muzzle itself is quite short and has pronounced folds of skin;
• eyes set wide, iris usually has a characteristic nutty or dark shade;
• the nose of the bullmastiff is quite wide by nature;
• the ears are V-shaped, small in size, set high, their color is dark;
• a characteristic feature of bullmastiff is large and strong teeth, they have a straight correct bite, if the latter is not too pronounced, then this feature is not attributed to defects;
• the back of these dogs is short and has a straight structure;
• limbs of purebred individuals are strong and powerful and with well-developed muscles; the fingers on the paws have a rounded structure, the pads are high in density, and the claws are painted in dark color;
• the tail of the bullmastiff narrows from the base to the tip;
• the coat is very short, has a dense structure.

The following characteristics can be attributed to defects in representatives of this breed:

• wool elongated and soft to the touch;
• folds present in the area of ​​the ears;
• pointy nose;
• snubness;
• light shade of eyes.

It is not enough to know only the external characteristics of such dogs to clearly determine the appropriateness of their purchase. It is much more important to be aware of the nature and behavior of the bullmastiff. The appearance of representatives of this breed can cause trepidation and even fear in a person. However, most of the owners of these pets speak of them as great friendly good-natured people. The Bullmastiff is affectionate and faithful by nature. This breed catches strangers with fear and horror solely by its appearance.

When this breed was just formed, the dogs came to be known as truly ferocious and tough animals with not the simplest temper. However, further breeding work allowed to reduce to the maximum these characteristics that scare away many people. Currently, bullmastiff is actively used to protect bars, banks, offices, as well as private property.

About these dogs leave a lot of different reviews. Their lion's share indicates that the bullmastiff copes with the obligation to be a faithful and friendly member of the family. Since these pets naturally have a calm disposition and truly angelic patience, they can easily get along with not only one person. Often these good healthy people are brought up in families with children.

Dogs of this world-famous breed always adapt to the life regime and lifestyle of their owners. They can freely accompany their person during light morning jogging, cycling and other similar activities. If the owner is not so active and energetic, then the bullmastiff will feel “at ease”. If you love long sitting with a book or watching TV, then this dog will not mind spending time with you in this mode.

Bullmastiff gets along well with children. It should be noted that the impressive dimensions of these dogs do not interfere with this. Usually such pets try to behave to the maximum accurately and delicately when they spend time with younger members of the family. The role of a large and tender nanny is suitable for them. In addition, the bullmastiff is an ideal partner for games.

For bullmastiff, children unwittingly become objects under its protection. There are times when dogs of this breed prevent parents from punishing the offending offspring. True, such events usually occur without manifestation of excessive malice and aggression on the part of the bullmastiff. The dog will simply block your path to the offending child.

Despite the fact that the ancestors of the bullmastiff had fighting habits and disposition, these smart healthy men are not. Among the representatives of this well-known breed, you can meet especially phlegmatic individuals or real sanguines who differ in the most balanced character traits. The intelligence level of the bullmastiff is very good. They are smart and quick-witted, they quickly understand and grasp everything on the fly. Usually bullmastiff does not do anything "in a hurry." He will always pre-evaluate the situation.

Purebred bullmastiffs have both positive and negative qualities. And those and others must be borne in mind if a person plans to acquire such a pet. The following advantages are characteristic of dogs of this breed:

• bullmastiff - an incredibly loyal and faithful dog; they love their master and his family immensely;
• the nature of these pets is balanced and calm; surprises in their behavior are usually not observed, which is why bullmastiffs are often trusted by children;
• the level of intelligence of such dogs pleases their owners, the actions of the bullmastiff are deliberate and conscious;
• these dogs are easy to train; they quickly master new teams and immediately understand what the owner expects of them;
• bullmastiff can not be called too demanding in care; the coat of these pets does not need much attention - it’s easy and simple to take care of it, which pleases many breeders;
• patience of a purebred bullmastiff can only be envied; these dogs are incredibly tolerant, so they can be safely left with small children who love to fool around.

Yes, the advantages of animals of this breed are undeniable. However, it was not without minuses, namely:

• bullmastiff is characterized by severe salivation; if the animal is kept in a city apartment, then soon the furniture and clothes will be stained there; I must say that the drool of such dogs is not so easy to rub;
• these pets often snore loudly in their sleep; at night the noise from them can interfere with the sleep of the owners;
• bullmastiffs are rather stubborn and lazy;
• representatives of this breed tend to demonstrate their leadership;
• unfortunately, the lifespan of these animals is very small, this factor is recognized as one of the main disadvantages of bullmastiff;
• males of this breed are hostile towards other dogs of the same gender.

If you have weighed all the pros and cons of a bullmastiff and decided to make such a four-legged friend, then you should know how to choose the puppy of this breed.

• Bullmastiff males have a more textured appearance than bitches. However, their character is more dominant. In addition, dogs of this breed are more susceptible to allergic reactions, which can ultimately lead to dermatitis. Consider these features when choosing a puppy.
• Girls differ in not too expressive exterior, but they are more willing to make contact. They are even more loyal to children and are more likely to learn. It is permissible to buy such individuals in pairs. This is not true for males.
• Puppies of this breed are usually massive and well-fed. A healthy baby at the age of two months will weigh at least 9-10 kg. If the puppy is 3 months old, then its weight should be from 17 kg. If the puppy that you liked has too little body weight, then this will indicate that he was not provided with proper care. Most likely, the baby suffers from certain diseases.
• If you buy a pet for future participation in exhibitions and various competitions, then it is better to take it at the age of 7-8 months. It was at this time that all its characteristic features became more clear and noticeable. If you are looking for a loyal companion or reliable guard, then you should not waste time. You can buy a puppy who is 1 to 3 months old. This age is considered optimal in this case.
• It should be checked whether tests have been carried out against litter producers for various genetic diseases (especially dysplasia). It will be necessary to clarify how the female and male dogs deal with food allergic reactions. Very often, small bullmastiffs inherit allergies from their parents.
• Be sure to inspect all puppies from the litter, if the breeder gives such an opportunity. Thus, you will be able to make a comparison of animals and eventually make a choice in favor of the smartest and most active baby.
• It is worth evaluating the homogeneity of the litter, selecting "their" puppy. An absolutely healthy pedigree bitch will not have too small or too large puppies.
• Without fail, carefully probe the tail of the chosen puppy. Very often, small bullmastiffs on the tip of the tail have characteristic creases that unscrupulous and cunning breeders skillfully hide, referring to the operational method. When a baby with such a problem becomes adult and mature, its tail will be shorter than that of its counterparts. As a result, such a nuance will not allow the animal to get to the exhibitions.
• Carefully look into the mouth of a small bullmastiff. If there are more milk incisors than the dental formula permits, then this does not apply to malformations. It will be worse if there are fewer.
• A purebred little bullmastiff will have a U-like set of forelegs. In puppies whose age is 2 months, the eyes always have a dark blue or brown shade of the iris. This breed does not have blue eyes.
• If you are choosing a dog for apartment keeping, then you should look at the charming doggies that have a characteristic tiger color. These individuals have almost no undercoat, so they molt to a minimum. Puppies of fawn and brown undercoat are, albeit thin. They tolerate low temperatures much better. However, the wool from them remains many times more.

Bullmastiffs can not boast of unsurpassed protective qualities. These pets are more suitable for the protection of all family members. If you use bullmastiff for its main purpose, then it will perfectly cope with its duties. Good news for city apartment owners: in such conditions, a bullmastiff can live without any problems, despite its impressive dimensions, and in such an environment the pet will not bother anyone. Dogs of this breed do not have the habit of constantly getting confused at the feet of the owners.

Do not forget that dogs of this breed have a very short undercoat, so you can keep them on the street only if you build a high-quality insulated booth or insulated aviary. In other conditions, the animal will be extremely uncomfortable. One of the main advantages of bullmastiff is that they rarely bark, so they do not interfere with their neighbors. This pet as a whole does not cause serious problems, if properly educated and taught everything you need. True, increased salivation of these animals can interfere with the owners. All dogs of this type have such a feature, and the bullmastiff does not differ in its greatest abundance of saliva.

The classic menu of large dogs, such as bullmastiff, is made up of natural food. All foods should be high in essential protein and mineral supplements. The norm of food per day should be 2 kg for a dog weighing 50 kg. The diet of these dogs must contain meat. For bullmastiff, it is recommended to choose only sinewy, but not very fatty meat, in which there is a large number of cartilage. It is these products that can saturate the canine body with the whole complex of necessary nutrients, including collagen.

Let the growth and development of bullmastiffs on finished industrial feed. It is recommended to give purebred pets only premium and super-premium feed options. Dry options often have to be made more delicious by introducing wet ingredients. When choosing ready-made food for your pet, you should pay due attention to its composition and manufacturer. Such food should not contain harmful chemicals, preservatives of unknown origin and various flavor enhancers.

Buy ready-made feed from well-known manufacturers for bullmastiff. Little-known and cheap products are unlikely to benefit the animal, but they can seriously harm. In addition, it is not recommended to feed such animals with economy-class budget feeds, which are sold in any store and supermarket. Such food is especially advertised and has bright, eye-catching packaging.

Dogs of the breed described need proper care.

• Despite the fact that the coat of bullmastiff is very small, it will still need to be combed out twice a week. This will be enough to keep the animal in a beautiful and clean condition.
• We should not forget about bathing these dogs. Turn to bath procedures as needed. During these events, thoroughly rinse the folds on the body of the animal. Having finished swimming, the bullmastiff needs to be wiped dry. For washing, use only specialized shampoo. Simple formulations for humans are not suitable for this. It is permissible to use special dry shampoos for dogs.
• Inspect your pet’s ears weekly. Cotton swabs for their cleansing is better not to use. Preventive cleaning is recommended using special lotions, which are sold in many veterinary pharmacies. If you notice irritation or redness on the pet’s ears, as well as an unpleasant odor, you should immediately visit a veterinarian.
• Brush your pet's teeth. You need to do this either with a special brush or a nozzle on your finger. Such procedures should be resorted to at least once a week. If you regularly brush your dog’s teeth, she will be able to avoid problems with tartar and bad breath.
• In domestic dogs, claws need to be trimmed from time to time. The fact that it is necessary to turn to this procedure should be indicated by the characteristic clatter while the animal is walking around the house.
• One of the main points of caring for bullmastiff is regular walks. Exercise should be, but not too serious. Absolutely without training, lazy pets quickly gain weight and can suffer from obesity.

Bullmastiff, like a dog of any other breed, needs proper education and training. Without this, the pet will be naughty and spoil the impression of itself with uncontrolled behavior. It should be borne in mind that these dogs are not suitable for weak and insecure people, as they are quite wayward and very stubborn animals. Only a true leader with patience and free time can cope with them.

It is allowed to train and raise a bullmastiff only in a relaxed atmosphere.But the owner should be quite demanding and persistent. Dogs of this breed often resort to various tricks and methods of manipulation in order to take the lead on themselves. It is worth considering that the bullmastiff is far from the dog that is suitable for the novice and inexperienced breeder. Such animals need constant attention from the owner, and the latter must have pronounced leadership qualities. The process of learning and socialization of the Bullmastiffs drags on for life. These pets are somewhat similar to adolescents: they are always in search of something new, very often they ignore the rules and norms of behavior.

It is worth adhering to simple tips.

• When the weather is hot, bullmastiffs very often refuse to eat. Chasing them with a bowl full of food makes no sense. Better give your pet the right amount of low fat kefir of first freshness. Instead of kefir, water or fermented baked milk is suitable. So the animal will survive the heat more easily.
• You can walk the bullmastiff only in the muzzle. It is advisable to keep the pet on a leash. Despite constant monitoring, a pet can at any time behave like no one expects from it. Without certain security measures, such events can have dire consequences.
• Monitor the health of your pet. At the slightest hint of a disease, you should immediately go to the veterinarian. Do not waste time and do not expect the pet to recover on its own.
• Combing bullmastiff must be as thorough as possible. To do this, it is recommended to use special brushes that are sold in many pet stores.
• All food that is prohibited for consumption by bullmastiff is best kept out of the reach of the dog. Take away harmful treats away so that your pet cannot reach them.
• Bullmastiff can show serious aggression towards other animals living with him in the same territory (and not only), if he is not correctly and timely socialized.
• Despite the fact that bullmastiffs are very kind to children, they are better to not be left alone, of course. A dog can accidentally inflict damage on a child due to its impressive size. Parents should keep the situation under control in all cases.
• Bullmastiff is prone to overheating and getting heat stroke. If the weather is hot outside, then it is better not to take your pet outside the house.
• It is necessary to take into account the fact that dogs of this breed have a characteristic low pain threshold. Very often, this feature causes the complexity of the early determination of the disease of these animals.
• Raising a bullmastiff, one should not break into a cry or resort to physical punishment. This attitude the dog will perceive negatively. As a result, the pet will lose confidence in the owner, will not perceive it as a "leader of the pack."

Bullmastiff breed characterization in the next video.